UTEP vs. UT: What to watch

Redshirt freshman tailback Tre’ Newton is expected to get the first start of his career.

As the Texas Longhorns try to win their 16th consecutive nonconference game and go 31-1 against in-state opponents at home under Mack Brown, there doesn’t figure to be much drama in Saturday’s game against UTEP. But UT does have some issues to focus on, including:

Continuing the growth of Tre’ Newton: The redshirt freshman tailback is expected to get the first start of his career, and it could be the beginning of a 30- or 40-start streak if everything unfolds as he hopes. Newton spent much of preseason trying to win a job as the Longhorns’ third-down back, but he’s made it clear he’s their best option to carry the ball 20 times per game, and he does all the little things well. Both Vondrell McGee and Fozzy Whittaker practiced this week, but Brown said he wants to limit his tailback rotation to two players, and the older guys are now fighting for the backup spot.

Getting Colt McCoy going early: The senior quarterback has Heisman Trophy numbers in the second half of UT’s three games so far this season, but he’s struggled — by his standards — before halftime. Brown and offensive coordinator Greg Davis said they think McCoy has been trying to do too much at the beginning of games. McCoy said he thinks he’s actually ahead of where he was at this point last year. He’ll have an opportunity to show it against the Miners.

Finding the right mix in the secondary: The Longhorns have plenty of depth in the defensive backfield, but they have yet to establish a fixed plan for how to use all of it. Deon Beasley, the cornerback who was sidelined for the first two games while awaiting an NCAA ruling on his academic eligibility, returned for the Texas Tech game but played primarily on special teams. Nolan Brewster played well at safety and is listed as a co-starter with Blake Gideon, who dinged his shoulder last week. UT is also trying to get Chykie Brown — now listed as a second-stringer — back on track at cornerback. Aaron Williams and Curtis Brown have been their best two cover men so far.